Bengal likely to get 7-8 new ports bordering Bangladesh, Nepal

Bengal likely to get 7-8 new ports bordering Bangladesh, Nepal

The Indian government is planning to set up seven to eight new international land ports in West Bengal, the Telegraph India reported. The move aims to facilitate trade and ease the movement of cargo and people with neighboring countries, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The proposed ports will be developed by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), an agency under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Currently, West Bengal has only one such port at Petrapole on the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Locations for proposed land ports

The LPAI has identified several locations for the proposed land ports. These include Panitanki on the Indo-Nepal border, Ghojadanga on the Indo-Bangladesh border, Hili in Dinajpur and Birpara in Alipurduar.

Jayant Singh, chairman of LPAI, said each port would need an average of 50 acres of area and must be located on the border.